Amnesty for 6,300 Burma prisoners

Burma’s president has granted amnesty to more than 6,300 prisoners, state radio and television announced today, in what appears to be the biggest step so far in a series of reform actions undertaken by the new elected government.

The broadcasts said the releases would begin tomorrow – a religious holiday - but did not specify how many political detainees were among the 6,359 receiving an amnesty from President Thein Sein.